The Questlove Show

Before the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, Lenny Kaye was clerking at Village Oldies on Bleecker Street. In 1972, he compiled Nuggets—and its liner notes helped shape the emerging idea of Punk Rock. Questlove and Lenny nerd out as fellow record obsessives, swapping stories about organizing vinyl, seeing Jimi Hendrix twice, meeting Patti Smith (whom he played bass for ever since), and recording “Piss Factory” in the final 15 minutes of a session at Electric Lady. Lenny also talks about his new solo debut, Going Local, out now on Yep Roc. Made for artistic closure, not to chase a trend, the personal, unhurried record came from a simple conviction: “because I’m my favorite artist.” He reflects on creativity, his enduring love of music, and the crates he’s digging through now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Questlove Supreme landed a bucket-list interview with the Funk captain himself, the legendary George Clinton. This episode hits all the topics you thought we missed and asks the questions you’ve been waiting to get answered. From Zapp to Prince and everything in between, ensure you complete your ride on the mothership with Questlove Supreme.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Open Mike Eagle and Cousin Jake unpack E-40’s conversation on The Questlove Show. They get into how E-40 has kept writing new chapters—and inventing new styles—for nearly 40 years; what independence really means; and why “lyricist” can come with an unfair bias. Plus, E-40 credited one MC with helping shape his unmistakable delivery in an ah-ha moment of the convo. They also give flowers to Hieroglyphics’ Casual, a Bay Area great E-40 says deserves more credit. Which Bay Area rappers should we be talking about?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Nat Adderley Jr., serving as Luther Vandross’ musical director and longtime pianist was one chapter in a remarkable musical life—and a partnership that helped shape the sound of modern R&B. In conversation with Questlove, Nat looks back on making “Never Too Much,” flying in from Houston to play “A House Is Not a Home,” and trying to talk Luther out of recording the Carpenters’ version of “Superstar.” As Vandross is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Nat recalls the grandeur of Luther’s stage shows and the loss of drummer Yogi Horton. He also reflects on how his arrangement of “If This World Were Mine” found new life in Kendrick Lamar’s “Luther.” The funny, unpredictable conversation also touches on Nat’s new album, Took So Long—his first as a leader and a return to the Jazz roots that run through his family and his work. In a personal full-circle moment, Questlove tells Nat how a protest song Nat recorded at 15 with his uncle Cannonball Adderley changed his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2020, Team Supreme was blessed with an extensive conversation with George Clinton of the Parliament-Funkadelic collective. This two-part conversation features deep-dive discussion and the kinds of questions listeners will only find at Questlove Supreme. Check out part ONE of our George Clinton class. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.